In a significant development, the special parliamentary committee, consisting of both government and opposition members, has “unanimously approved” the draft of the 26th constitutional amendment.
This breakthrough occurred during a meeting of the committee, formed to deliberate on the contentious judicial reforms package, chaired by PPP legislator Syed Khursheed Shah on Friday.
Speaking to reporters, Shah confirmed that the draft will be presented for approval at the upcoming federal cabinet meeting. “The draft has been unanimously approved,” he stated, adding that the committee also agreed to allow overseas Pakistanis to run for elections.
Representatives from all major political parties, except Awami National Party’s Aimal Wali Khan, attended the meeting.
MQM-P leader Farooq Sattar mentioned that the PTI had largely agreed with the draft but expressed reservations on certain points. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan clarified that discussions on the fourth draft shared by the government were still ongoing. He emphasized that the party would finalize its stance on the constitutional package after consulting with their party founder, who is currently imprisoned in Adiala Jail on multiple charges.
During a press conference following his meeting with JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the PTI chairman distanced his party from the committee’s decision, stating: “Our meeting was still ongoing when we learned that the draft had been approved by the parliamentary committee.”
He added that the PTI would announce its decision on the constitutional amendments after consulting with the party’s founder. “We will soon reach a conclusion,” he said.
Barrister Gohar noted that the PTI would proceed “in accordance with Imran Khan’s directions.” He expressed hope of meeting the PTI founder the following day to finalize their position.
The PTI leadership has been unable to meet with Khan for over two weeks, Gohar added.
Responding to a question, the PTI chairman said that a new draft was presented during the committee meeting. The meeting approved 26 points from the fourth draft.
“We reached a consensus on the draft during our meeting with Fazlur Rehman,” Gohar explained, further stating that the committee had approved the same draft agreed upon in discussions with the JUI-F chief.
He also confirmed that PTI leader Amir Dogar had attended the parliamentary committee meeting.
According to the draft, the commission for appointing Supreme Court judges will include the sitting chief justice, the four most senior judges of the court, the federal law minister, the attorney-general for Pakistan, a lawyer nominated by the Pakistan Bar Council, two members of the Senate, and two members of the National Assembly.
The draft also states, “The question of whether any advice was given to the president by the cabinet, or the prime minister, shall not be examined by any court, tribunal, or other authority.”
